Oakland breaks ground on bicycle safety project after 4-year-old’s death

(BCN) — Oakland broke ground Friday on street safety improvements near Lake Merritt, two years after a 4-year-old child was killed in the area.

The $5.4 million project, known as the Maia Correia Memorial Bikeway, will add a fully separated bike lane that will be protected from vehicles by raised concrete barriers from East 18th Street to El Embarcadero.

This project focuses on the area where Maia Correia was killed in a collision while biking with her father in August of 2023. It will also improve safety for pedestrians walking across Lakeshore to access Lake Merritt and improve access for people taking transit.

“We continue to grieve the death of Maia and honor her life and the lives of all children by installing safe infrastructure for Oaklanders of all ages,” Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Friday. “This is lifesaving work, and while we wish it were here sooner to prevent Maia’s death, we are committed to making Oakland’s streets safe for all users.”

“Maia lived for exactly 4 years, 2 months and one week in this world, but she continues to live in our hearts forever,” said Hydeh Ghaffari, Maia Correia’s grandmother. Her family was credited with pushing for the changes.

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